Contraceptive Mandate Blocked in Federal Appeals Court

A federal appeals court based in Chicago has blocked the so-called contraceptive mandate that requires companies to provide contraceptive coverage in group health-care plans for employees, the ABA Journal reports. In a 2-1 decision, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today on behalf of two closely held companies and their Catholic owners, who claimed the mandate under the Affordable Care Act violated their rights provided by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.